Looking to get my first handgun - Page 2

golfnutrlv · November 9, 2008, 05:57 PM

Try a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. It was my first handgun. I love it.
I recently purchased a Glock 26 sub-compact for concealed carry as well.

The M&P has three sized backstraps for larger hands, and easy to find mag release, slide stop. It is also a breeze to field strip.

Bottom line, choose a handgun you are sure you can control. I would rather be accurate with a .380, than wayward with a .50 Desert Eagle.

If you choose a smaller caliber, bear in mind that most good guns can handle a good +P hollow point load for better stopping power.

I use 9mm Winchester 147 gr Premium hollow point defense ammo.

Federal Hydrashock, or Cor-Bon loads are great as well.

Choose a caliber that you are comfortable with, and CHOOSE A WEAPON THAT IS 100% RELIABLE! Your life may depend on it.

Second, the best way to figure out of you like a gun, is to shoot it. Its kind of like cars. You want to test drive that rig before you plop down 30 grand.

You can't go wrong with a glock or an M&P.
I have not shot an XD, but I have heard lots of good things about them.

Hope this helps!!

Tom2 · November 9, 2008, 06:05 PM

Those who stated they would not feel safe with a lowly 9MM, are apparently not familiar with the current state of the art defensive ammo. But that does not preclude other calibers being good also. The FMJ ammo for practice will be relatively cheap but ammo is really up in price now. The really good defensive ammo is gonna be rather more expensive. Sometimes so much that it is sold in boxes of only 25 or less than 50. Don't go for budget basement on that unless you can find a good deal on what is normally top notch defense ammo. Then you can feel safe IMO, after you shoot enough of the premium stuff to be sure it is reliable in your choice of arms. So many good choices in 9MM guns that you should ask which ones are the dogs to avoid.

1-UP · November 9, 2008, 07:09 PM

Get what you'd like, but the best piece of advise ever given on these boards is to HANDLE, HANDLE, HANDLE. I thought for sure I would be getting a Glock (Because they strike me as something of a "Best Buy") for a 9mm, but when I shot one and handled several others, I just could not get comfortable with the grip. Similar results with the Ruger. I have big hands and figured the bigger grip wouldn't be an issue - ultimately I didn't like it. Same with the two Sigs I looked at. What was the winner for me? A CZ 75B. Putting that gun in my hand was like spreading butter on toast.

Now I just need to decide whether or not the extra $130 for a stainless model is worth it. God that's a beautiful gun. Regardless, one will be in my possession at the end of the week.

specs · November 9, 2008, 07:19 PM

Right now you can still get a Ruger P95 in 9mm. Easy to use and clean and 100% reliable. I have both P95 and P89 and they are both 100 % in every way.

SirYancelot · November 9, 2008, 10:24 PM

I picked up my Glock 17 yesterday, spent today getting familiar with it. Taking it tomorrow to county to get registered and then off to shoot it. Thanks to all that replied. All were great suggestions...and all will be possible options for future guns, but I went with the Glock because it felt great, shot wonderfully, and was highly recommended. Cheers! and thanks for the welcome to this awesome community!

Smaug · November 10, 2008, 08:57 AM

Good choice for a defensive gun. Legendary reliability, pretty accurate, high capacity, super-easy to field strip, and a doable-at-home detail strip. They also seem to stay pretty clean, are very easy to clean.

There's nothing wrong with it as a combat pistol, if you don't mind the plasticky looks & feel.

Did you get a new one or a used one? Used ones are pretty cheap compared to new.

Next step: 22 conversion kit for the G17, so you can really afford to practice.

tenusdad · November 10, 2008, 04:24 PM

Get a good quality double action S&W or Ruger revolver in 38 special or 357 mag.

Bubsy · November 18, 2008, 08:16 PM

I have three guns, and for me, "defense" and "target shooting" are separate categories, economically at least. My "defense" gun is a S&W Model 67 38 special revolver. It's accurate and reliable. But... ammo costs nearly $20.00 for 50 rounds here in NY, or 40 cents per shot. My "target shooting" gun is my S&W model 41 22LR. 22LR ammo goes for about 6 cents per shot. I'd say you have to decide whether your primary concern is defense or target shooting. If it's target shooting, then I'd suggest a S&W 617 4" 10 shot for a revolver, or a Ruger MkIII 22LR for a semi auto.

For defense, IMHO, accuracy under pressure is a key criteria. I'd pass on the 1911 45's which I've been told can be difficult to shoot under stress, and choose instead the S&W 686 357 mag for a revolver (which also shoots 38 special and 38+p ammo) or the Beretta PX4 Storm or 90-Two 9mm semi automatics.

November 9, 2008, 05:57 PM	#26
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Smith and Wesson!!! Try a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. It was my first handgun. I love it. I recently purchased a Glock 26 sub-compact for concealed carry as well. The M&P has three sized backstraps for larger hands, and easy to find mag release, slide stop. It is also a breeze to field strip. Bottom line, choose a handgun you are sure you can control. I would rather be accurate with a .380, than wayward with a .50 Desert Eagle. If you choose a smaller caliber, bear in mind that most good guns can handle a good +P hollow point load for better stopping power. I use 9mm Winchester 147 gr Premium hollow point defense ammo. Federal Hydrashock, or Cor-Bon loads are great as well. Choose a caliber that you are comfortable with, and CHOOSE A WEAPON THAT IS 100% RELIABLE! Your life may depend on it. Second, the best way to figure out of you like a gun, is to shoot it. Its kind of like cars. You want to test drive that rig before you plop down 30 grand. You can't go wrong with a glock or an M&P. I have not shot an XD, but I have heard lots of good things about them. Hope this helps!! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

November 9, 2008, 06:05 PM	#27
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Those who stated they would not feel safe with a lowly 9MM, are apparently not familiar with the current state of the art defensive ammo. But that does not preclude other calibers being good also. The FMJ ammo for practice will be relatively cheap but ammo is really up in price now. The really good defensive ammo is gonna be rather more expensive. Sometimes so much that it is sold in boxes of only 25 or less than 50. Don't go for budget basement on that unless you can find a good deal on what is normally top notch defense ammo. Then you can feel safe IMO, after you shoot enough of the premium stuff to be sure it is reliable in your choice of arms. So many good choices in 9MM guns that you should ask which ones are the dogs to avoid. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

November 9, 2008, 10:24 PM	#30
SirYancelot Junior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 8	I got it I picked up my Glock 17 yesterday, spent today getting familiar with it. Taking it tomorrow to county to get registered and then off to shoot it. Thanks to all that replied. All were great suggestions...and all will be possible options for future guns, but I went with the Glock because it felt great, shot wonderfully, and was highly recommended. Cheers! and thanks for the welcome to this awesome community!

November 10, 2008, 08:57 AM	#31
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Good choice for a defensive gun. Legendary reliability, pretty accurate, high capacity, super-easy to field strip, and a doable-at-home detail strip. They also seem to stay pretty clean, are very easy to clean. There's nothing wrong with it as a combat pistol, if you don't mind the plasticky looks & feel. Did you get a new one or a used one? Used ones are pretty cheap compared to new. Next step: 22 conversion kit for the G17, so you can really afford to practice. __________________ -Jeremy "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer

November 10, 2008, 04:24 PM	#32
tenusdad Junior member Join Date: April 27, 2008 Posts: 396	1st Handgun Get a good quality double action S&W or Ruger revolver in 38 special or 357 mag. Last edited by tenusdad; November 10, 2008 at 04:30 PM.

November 9, 2008, 07:09 PM	#28
1-UP Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Southern MI Posts: 250	Get what you'd like, but the best piece of advise ever given on these boards is to HANDLE, HANDLE, HANDLE. I thought for sure I would be getting a Glock (Because they strike me as something of a "Best Buy") for a 9mm, but when I shot one and handled several others, I just could not get comfortable with the grip. Similar results with the Ruger. I have big hands and figured the bigger grip wouldn't be an issue - ultimately I didn't like it. Same with the two Sigs I looked at. What was the winner for me? A CZ 75B. Putting that gun in my hand was like spreading butter on toast. Now I just need to decide whether or not the extra $130 for a stainless model is worth it. God that's a beautiful gun. Regardless, one will be in my possession at the end of the week.

November 9, 2008, 07:19 PM	#29
specs Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Posts: 71	Right now you can still get a Ruger P95 in 9mm. Easy to use and clean and 100% reliable. I have both P95 and P89 and they are both 100 % in every way.

November 18, 2008, 08:16 PM	#33
Bubsy Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2006 Posts: 191	I have three guns, and for me, "defense" and "target shooting" are separate categories, economically at least. My "defense" gun is a S&W Model 67 38 special revolver. It's accurate and reliable. But... ammo costs nearly $20.00 for 50 rounds here in NY, or 40 cents per shot. My "target shooting" gun is my S&W model 41 22LR. 22LR ammo goes for about 6 cents per shot. I'd say you have to decide whether your primary concern is defense or target shooting. If it's target shooting, then I'd suggest a S&W 617 4" 10 shot for a revolver, or a Ruger MkIII 22LR for a semi auto. For defense, IMHO, accuracy under pressure is a key criteria. I'd pass on the 1911 45's which I've been told can be difficult to shoot under stress, and choose instead the S&W 686 357 mag for a revolver (which also shoots 38 special and 38+p ammo) or the Beretta PX4 Storm or 90-Two 9mm semi automatics.